2013 News Releases

EPA to host Seattle public listening session on reducing carbon emissions from existing power plants

Session to be held Nov. 7 from 3pm – 6pm at the Jackson Federal Building

SEATTLE, WA – This Thursday Nov. 7 in Seattle, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will host one of 11 public listening sessions to gather public input as the agency develops Clean Air Act guidelines to reduce carbon emissions for existing power plants. Power plants are the nation’s largest stationary source of carbon pollution, responsible for about one third of all greenhouse gases in the United States.The Clean Air Act gives both EPA and states a role in reducing air pollution from power plants that are already in operation. The law directs EPA to establish guidelines, which states use to design their own programs to reduce emissions. Before proposing guidelines, EPA must consider how power plants with a variety of configurations would be able to reduce carbon pollution in cost-effective ways.The feedback from the listening sessions will play an important role in helping EPA develop smart, cost-effective guidelines that reflect the latest and best information available.DATE: Thursday, November 7, 2013TIME: 3:00pm to 6:00pm (PST)LOCATION: Jackson Federal Bldg. 915 Second Ave., SeattleEPA Regional Administrator Dennis McLerran will provide brief opening remarks at the start of the session, followed by public input about reducing carbon pollution from existing power plants.Due to limited capacity, those planning to provide verbal comments at the session are required to pre-register at: http://www2.epa.gov/carbon-pollution-standards/public-listening-sessions. When registering, please select the check box indicating interest in speaking. Please be prepared for a security check upon entry to the building.EPA encourages the public to submit written input by November 30, 2013 to: carbonpollutioninput@epa.gov. The agency will seek additional public input during the notice and comment period after it issues a proposal, by June 2014.For more information about EPA’s carbon pollution standards for the power sector, please visit:http://www2.epa.gov/carbon-pollution-standardsFollow @EPAnorthwest on Twitter!https://twitter.com/EPAnorthwest